We’re celebrating our 20th anniversary of publishing
with this issue of Lake Superior Magazine. On such occasions, the
editor (that’s me) usually has some significant words to say about all
the little people who helped make him the star he is today. Well, we can
really get “full of ourselves” when we want to, but this is not the time
to do it. Instead, I want to talk about some of what’s happened over 20
years to affairs of this Great Lake.
If you read Jim Marshall’s “Lake Superior Journal” in this issue, you’ll
find many names and a recounting of how this publication became a family
owned entity. Believe me, if we didn’t have the excellent staff guiding
what we do, we would never have made it this far and you wouldn’t be holding
the only publication that deals with Lake Superior in your hands. The fact
that we’re privately held is important. It means the marketplace has a
true need for this kind of publication. It can’t be said too often that
the support of our readers and advertisers is what makes us a success.
And we thank you.
Since this publication came into existence, we’ve seen many things change
within the lake basin. Lake Superior being designated as the zero-discharge
test case has created an environmental sensitivity that was slow in coming.
In the process, civility has returned to the discussion, with less finger
pointing and more creative progress toward an understanding of the lake’s
needs.
We’ve seen a true awareness of the lake neighborhood develop. Although
it appears to be a natural region, the residents of Lake Superior have
only recently awakened to the regional commonalities that cross the state
and international borders. These days we actually find people on the western
shore with knowledge about the people on the eastern shore. We hope we’ve
been an instrumental part in building that awareness.
It’s been a part of our mission to become a focal point for information,
and these days more and more folks want information about Lake Superior.
We know that fresh water will be the buzz concept of the new millennium.
Guess which body of water promises to have the biggest interest.
This issue continues to celebrate the anniversary year with a recap of
some of our favorite stories, photos from our most requested subject (lighthouses)
and “a whole lot more.” We have every intention of continuing our publishing
project well into the future. Twenty years is only the beginning. I’m always
asked, “Do you ever run out of stories?” And, of course, the answer is
plainly, “That could never happen.” We hope you take as much pride in our
making it to our 20th birthday as we do. We appreciate your support.
Paul L. Hayden
Editor
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Still “Lake” Crazy